Primary school in ‘desperate’ need of funds as playground “tearing apart”

A primary school is fundraising to repair its soft play playground which is “tearing apart at the seams”.

St Mary’s primary school in Crescent Lane, Clapham, does not have enough money to repair the playground which has not been refitted for 30 years.

The school said it “desperately needs refurbishment” and has set up a crowdfund target of £25,000.

Chanel Coley, the school’s business manager, said the lack of a proper play space was having a “massive impact” on the metal health and well-being of the children, as well as their ability to learn.

She said: “You can see how it affects them not being able to use the play area.

“Health and well-being is number one. We’ve had to cut away the ladder already because it was unsafe, and soon we will need to cordon off the whole area so the kids don’t play on it for health and safety reasons.

“The ground is tearing apart and they could trip over.”

The school has about 330 pupils and the building dates back to the 1860s.

Ms Coley said that funding for the school was down “across the board” and that during the pandemic it had to crowdfund for laptops for pupils to use at home.

The fundraiser would pay for the cost of replacing all of the of soft play areas and the remainder will go towards repainting the playground markings and repairing the climbing frames and equipment in the school play areas.

The school said it uses all of its outside space for the benefit of the children, including three spaces which are quiet areas to support pupils’ mindfulness.  

You can donate to the school’s fundraiser here.

Pictured top: St Mary’s primary school playground is in need of repair (Picture: St Mary’s primary school)